Dutch Proverb (Memory) Stitching Finished

I had a finish this week! I am participating in the Stitch Maynia Facebook group event where some people have 15-31 new starts during the month of May, but I am using it as a rotation reboot and working on 15 (or more) WIPs during the month. I started with this one since I already had most of it stitched. I have been working on projects for Connie Gee's designs a lot and neglecting my other projects, so it will be nice to work on them too this month!

The Dutch Proverb (Memory) design was done with a couple of friends of mine in mind who are actually Dutch. (I know they don't read my blog so I am safe posting it here.) I can't decide if I want to finish it as a small framed project or as a flat fold or maybe as a small cube. Decisions, decisions.

How would you finish it? Post in the comments below or join us in the Connie Gee's Stitchers Facebook Group to weigh in.

A Finish and a WIP

I have a finish and I couldn't be happier! The Night Train project (designer Elizabeth Spurlock) has been in my stash partially finished for a long time. As near as I can calculate I started it about 10 years ago. And now, it is done - YAY!

So, what do you do when you have a finish like that? Why you start a second project - Night Train II. It uses almost the same colors as Night Train and I am stitching it on the same color fabric - a denim colored 14-count Aida that was from Charles Craft. This is not a color they offer since DMC bought them out, but you may be able to search some out in backstock. I like the denim blue for these night scenes because it is dark enough for a night scene, but it is easier to stitch on than navy.

I can't find a copy of Night Train II online, but I have linked to Amazon.com below where a used copy of Night Train is available. If you are searching for Night Train II, the original publisher was StitchWorld and the designer is also Elizabeth Spurlock.

Next up in my rotation is Nature's Brilliant Extravaganza which is my very oldest WIP - it's at least 20 years old and might be a bit older. I am just not counting up those years today because it makes me feel old!

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Swim Instructor Finish and Kaleidoscope WIP

Finished the Swim Instructor! This was a freebie from Cricket Collection - it doesn't seem to be available now, but if you keep an eye on their gift design it may come up again. Now that I have finished this one, I can move along to another WIP - Kaleidoscope from Ink Circles

Current WIP

In one of my Facebook groups we are doing an ornament a month SAL and this is mine for March. It is a freebie from La Comtesse & Le Point de Croix. I just have a little bit left on the "N" and then for the "O" I will be using beads. The "O" is shaped like an ornament and I think it will look really neat.

I Believe it's Finished

This project is not part of my rotation, but I needed something I could carry along with me in the car since we were on the go a good bit this weekend. The design is a little bit too big to be an ornament, so I will either finish it as a small pillow or as a door hanger. The design is from La Comtesse & Le Point de Croix. I stitched it on 18-count white Aida with Sullivans Bittersweet variegated floss. As you can see, I used my trusty q-snaps to hold my fabric. I just love that they don't leave hoop marks.

Next up on my rotation is Kaleidoscope by Tracy Horner of Ink Circles. But, before I can start on it, I have to work on my test project that I can't show photos of yet. I am also doing quite a bit of work on my website mixed in amongst everything else.

WIP Check in

My current WIP (work in progress) is Mother Maya by Tracy Horner of Ink Circles. This is # 10 on my rotation. I will admit that this time around I skipped #7 which is Warm All Over (the polar bears one) because when it came time for it, I was just not in the mood to stitch all those half crosses. Luckily Mother Maya is whole cross stitch only and uses one floss. I deviated from the suggested floss color because I wanted to use blue. I saw a documentary where they talked about Mayan Blue and that is what inspired my color selection.

I am making slow but sure progress on this one. The floss I am using is silk and it is pretty slippery, but it is so soft and lovely to touch. It is Peeta colorway from Mo's Sale. If you are just getting started with silk or cotton overdyes, Mo's Sale is a great place to start enhancing your stash. She has reasonable prices and often offers grab bags at discount prices. She has silk and cotton floss, fabric, and even some patterns available on her site. No, I wasn't paid to advertise for her - lol.

Back to Mother Maya - I am participating in a week long "SWAT" with some of my friends where we focus on stitching every day and I have chosen to focus on Mother Maya during that time. So, hopefully I will get more done in the next few days so that I can show off another progress photo later in the week.

After Mother Maya has her turn, I will be taking a tiny break from my rotation to start a SAL (stitchalong) project I am participating in with a group on Facebook. I will be stitching the Skyros Island Schooner Sampler by Larysa Slobodianyk. You can search for the group on Facebook using the sampler name if you are interested. I have all my threads ready and I just need to prep my fabric so I can get started - hopefully this weekend!